]]>We haven’t even reached Easter yet, but Lucas Hoge already has plans for Memorial Day. His plans don’t involve family picnics or barbecues. But they do show that the “Give A Damn” singer truly does give a damn — especially when it comes to the military.

For the second year in a row Hoge will be performing for the troops in Afghanistan. He’s returning to the Middle East as part of the Wrangler Western – Wrangler National Patriot Tour. The two-week tour will have him singing for our soldiers during the Memorial Day weekend. For Hoge, that’s a “vacation” with value.

“I am really excited to hear that the Armed Forces Entertainment Wrangler National Patriot Tour is confirmed for May 2012,” says Hoge. “This is the best group of people to travel with and this is by far the best group of people to go visit! Robi Powers, of American300, Jeff Chadwick of Wrangler, Kaycee Feild, World Champion Bare Back Rider, Annie Bianco, Maegan Redley and myself will all return to visit several bases throughout Afghanistan and over Memorial Day. This tour means a lot to me. I look forward to it all year long. I love supporting our Military and will continue to do anything I can to let them know how much they mean to us!”

Before he returns to the Middle East, Hoge is taking part in a stateside salute for soldiers. He has an April 15th concert with Rodney Adkins at the Wynn Casino Encore Theater in Las Vegas during NAB. The show will support ThanksUSA, an organization that focuses on scholarships for military families.

In addition, the Nebraska native is also the spokesperson for Guardian Angels For Soldier’s Pet, which finds foster homes for pets of military members during their deployment.

Production of his self-titled album, Lucas Hoge, is in its final stages . We’ll have news of a release date very soon. The album’s first single, “Give A Damn,” is already released to radio and is the theme song for GAC’s “Tom’s Wild Life” with Tom McMillan. Hoge’s second single will also be announced soon.